Effect of neuraminidase on reactivity of anti-myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) antiserum with human natural killer cells

Abstract

We examined the effect ofneuraminidase on the reactivity of anti-myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) antiserum with human natural killer cells. The percentage of MAG-positive cells was increased threefold by neuraminidase treatment, whereas the percentage of Leu-7-positive cells (natural killer cells) was unchanged. It is possible that the antigenic determinant masked by sialic acid is exposed after the neuraminidase treatment. Since most MAG-positive cells in neuraminidase-untreated mononuclear cells are also stained by anti-Leu-7, the antigenic determinants may differ between the treated and untreated cell membrane.